Light indicator for stop motions of knitting machines



1951 E VOSSEN I 2,564,413

' LIGHT INDICATOR FOR STOP MOTIONS OF KNITTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 27, 1949 \ca/vrmu L m "on! I n I: /2 con/M0411: 01v

ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 14, 1951 LIGHT INDICATOR FOR STOP MOTIONS OF KNITTING MACHINES Edward Vossen, Lynbrook, N. Y., assignor to Stop- Motion Devices Corp., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 27, 1949, Serial No. 118,026

7 Claims. (01. 66-157) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in light indicators for stop motions of knitting machines.

Heretofore, light indicators have been used for stop motions of knitting machines which used controllers which knocked off" only upon the passage of current through them from any one or more of the detector switches. Recently, a new type of controller has been placed on the market through which current flows when the controller is in an on position and which knocks off when said current fails or when current reaches the controller upon the closing/of one or more detector switches connected therewith. It has been found that when the usual old type of light indicators are used with this new type of controller, the controller degenerates and goes out of operation within a short time.

The reason that the new controller cannot use an old light indicator is that it contains a relay having a sensitive winding. This relay is energized by the operation of one or more of the detector switches. This relay contains a relay switch through which a relatively large amount of current flows because this relay switch is connected in series with a large coil of the controller used to operate the releasing trip of the controller. It has been found that the contacts of this relay switch soon become pitted and portions burn away. This is highly objectionable since it quickly degenerates the sensitivity and operation of the controller. Moreover, the use of an old light indicator with the new controller causes an obj ectionable buzzing after the controller has knocked off because current is caused to flow through the coils thereof when the light indicator is operated. This also is objectionable.

This invention proposes new and improved light indicators which overcome the objectionable features of the old indicators pointed out above. More particularly, it is proposed that the new light indicators operate in a manner so as to avoid current flowing through the coils of the controller after it has knocked off in order to eliminate the objectionable buzzing and to eliminate the objectionable pitting and burning away of the points of the relay switch.

This new light indicator may be used in all types of controllers now on the market, namely those which are of the push pull type, as well as the rotary type.

Another object of this invention resides in providing an arrangement in which the electric current by-passes the coils of the controller when the light indicators are operated in order to avoid the objectionable features discussed above.

This invention also proposes so constructing the light indicators that they may operate automatically upon the knocking off of the controller, or they may be operated by the manual closing of switch means after the controller has knocked off.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a device a described which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of one form of new light indicator for a stop motion of a knitting machine constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but of a modified form of light indicator constructed in accordance with this invention.

The new light indicator, in accordance with that form of the invention disclosed in Fig. 1, may be best understood by first referring to the new type of electric controller to which this invention relates. One such controller is disclosed in the patent application of Edward Vossen, entitled Electric Control er Stop Motions for Machines, Serial No. 26,335, filed May 11, 1948, upon which Patent No. 2,490,936 was granted on December 13, 1949.

The new light indicator is used in combination with a stop motion for a knitting machine having an electric controller I 0 provided with a main switch H preferably of the push button type, which is closed when the controller I!) is on, and open when the controller I0 is 0111" An electric circuit I2 has one of its lines I3 connected to ground l4 through said main switch I I. Said electric controller It also is provided with a large main electric coil l5 for tripping the mechanism of the controller In when de-energized. This main coil l5 when energized attracts an armature 16 which is pivotally mounted by the pintle l1 upon a bracket I8. The armature l6 has a tail end l9 which normally engages and holds the releasing trip 20 of the mechanism of the controller I 0. A spring 2| connected'between the armature l6 and a lug 22 formed on the bracket I8, urges the armature Hi to release the releasing trip, 20. A stop arm 23 projects from the bracket. l8 and limits pivoting of the armature IE to its "01? position.

Said electric controller It) also has a normally closed relay switch 26. Said circuit l2 has its other line 2'! normally connected with the main coil l5 and then connected by a leadiB through said relay switch '26 to the ground Hi. Said controller l!) is also provided with a small relay coil 29 for opening the relay switch 25. This relay coil 29 is normally connected withsa-id second-mentioned line 21 in parallel with said main coil l5. The relay coil 29 is mounted on a lug 30 on the bracket IS. The relay coil 29 is adapted when energized to attract an armature 3| which is pivotally mounted by pintle 32 upon the bracket I8. rear end of the armature 3| and with the lug 22 for normally urging the armature 3| into an open position against a stop arm 34 on the bracket"|8. The switch 25 comprises-a icontact .35 mounted on the armature 3| and normally engaging a stationary contact 35 connected with the lead .28.

A plurality of normally open detector switches 45 are connected in parallel with each other and in series with said relay coil 29. Said relay coil 29 is connected to the ground '14 through said detector switches 40. Electric lamps i! are associated with said detector switches 55, and each electric lamp M is connected in series with one or more of said detector switches id. Each lamp il is shunted with a resistance G2. Switch means 46 is provided for electrically by-passing A spring '33- connects with the the main coil i5 and said relay coil 29 in order to connect said second-mentioned line '2 directly to the lamps 4| and detector switches ii). The switch means 44 includes a double pole double throw push button switch 25 or similar switch. Reference numerals 46 and t]; respec-- tive'ly indicate the poles of said switch 45.

These poles 46 and 41 are connected ib-ywan insulation bridge .48 which is resiliently urged into one'position inthe usual way, not illustrated on the drawing. The switch is schematically illustrated as having a push button 39. push putton 49 is operated by a pin 50 projecting from a rod 5|, or other part, of the controller lii' which assumes oneposition when the controller is on, and a second position when the controller is oii. The rod 5| is illustrated as provided with a second pin 5-2engageable with a push button 53 for operating the normally closed switch H. The rod 5| is illustrated in 'a position in which the controller is on; When the controller kn'o'cks"ofi the rod 5| will move'so that the pins 50 and52, respectively, engage the push buttons 49'and 53, throwing the switch 45 into its second position and opening the switch Saidswitchmeans M also includes a icy-pass conductor connecting the normally inopera tive'contacts of the double pole double throw switch 55 for switching said second mentioned line '2! from said coils l5 andZS through said bypass conductor 54to said lamps 4| 'and'detector switches 'A'norrnally inoperative auxiliary ground'con- 'nection 55 connects said first-mentioned line It hf said circuit i2 with theground l4 and is arranged to assume an operative condition when the controller Iii knocks off. The ground connection 55 includes, in series, a'high resistance lamp 5%. When the controller i5 knocks foii current flows .through'the lamp 56 which then becomes illuminated and" calls attention to the fact that the controller H) has knocked off. A

This

any one particular knitting machine stops operating. However, the operators attention is easily attracted by thesignal lamp 55 when it lights up. Another ground connection 58 is connected with the lead l3 and the ground i l and shunts the ground connection 55. This second ground connection 58 is provided with a normally open push button switch 59 which may be closed to shunt the lamp 56 so that additional current is'supplied to the particular detector switch or switches 45 which operated to stop the controller |fl so that one or more of the signal lamps 4| light up to indicate to the operator which detector switch or switches, or group of detector switches caused the knitting machine to stop.

The controller 15 is substantially-identical in construction and. operation to the controller. shown in Fig. 5 of the patent to Vossen No. 2,490,936. .Rod 5| corresponds to rod 10 Linthe patent'which is moved by the spring lfl. Trip 23 corresponds tothe trip 1'7 in the patent, which frees :rod 19 so that spring 14 may move rod 1.0,

The operation of this form of the invention may be understood from the following:

The controller i0 is illustrated as shown in its on position. In this condition current is continuously flowing from the-line 21 through the pole 45 of the. switch 45, the main coil i5, the lead 28, the normally closed relay switch 26, the ground It, then through the normally closed main switch 'to'the lead I3 of the circuit |-2. The main coil I5 is thus energized and holds its armature I6, which in turn holds the releasing trip 20 of the controller l0. Should the current fail in the circuit l2, due to accidental pulling out of the electiidplug which supplies current to the primary of'the transformer feeding the circuit l2, or due to other reasons for current failure to the transformer, the main coil l5 becomes de-energized'and then the spring 2| moves the armature IE to release the releasing trip 25 which knocks off the controller and stops the knitting machine. When the controller I!) knocks off the rod 5| moves so that the pins 59 and 52 operate the push buttons 49 and 53, throwing the switch 45 and opening the switch ii. If current now starts flowing again in the circuit l2 the lamp 56 will light up. The operator may now test to ascertain which detector switches closed and caused the controller to knock off. To'do this the push button switch 59 is closed to shunt the lamp 56. Since the controller knocked off because of power failure in the circuit |2 none of the lamps 4| will light up, indicating that there is no further trouble, The operator may now manually load the con;- troller IE and restart the knitting machine.

If one or more of the detector switches :30 are closed, the loaded controller l0 will also knock ofi, because current then flows through the line 27, the pole at, the relay coil 29, the pole 41, one or more .of the lamps 4|, and the closed detector switch orswitches M! to the ground It, and then through the main switch H, to the lead l3 of the circuit I2. When current flows incoil 29 this coil becomes energized and attracts armature 3| pivotszarmature 16;- which now releases trip. .20 causing the controller ID to knock off. When and 29.

closed, the ground l4, the ground connector 55 to the line I 3. The lamps 4| receive less current than the lamp 56 because of the resistances 42 and consequently only the lamp 56 lights up to indicate the controller II] has knocked ofi.

The operator may now close the push button switch 59 to shunt the lamp 56 and then sufficient current is supplied to light up the lamp or lamps 4| which are in series with the detector switch or switches 40 which are closed. The operator now knows where to look for the cause of the closing of the particular detector switches 40, and upon correction of the cause may restart the knitting machine.

In Fig. 2 a modified form of the invention has been disclosed which is very similar to the first form of the invention, distinguishing merely in the elimination of lamp 56 and in the details of the switch means 44. In this form of the invention identical reference numerals have been used to indicate identical parts of the stop motion shown in Fig. 1. This light indicator includes switch means 44' used to electrically by-pass the main coil I5 and the relay coil 29 in order to connect the second-mentioned line 21 directly with the lamps 4| and detector switches 40. A normally inoperative auxiliary ground connection 55' is connected with said first-mentioned line I3 of the circuit l2 and is arranged to become operative when the controller knocks off.

Said switch means 44 includes a normally open double pole push button switch 64 having a pole 62 connected in the line 21 to shunt the coils l5 Said auxiliary ground connection 55' includes in series the second pole 63 of said open push button switch 64. The push button switch 64 is manually operated. For this reason the 'rod 5| when moving to its second position, when the controller knocks ofi, merely has the pin 52 engage and operate the push button 53 of the main switch II.

In other respects this form of the invention is identical to the previous form.

Its operation may be understood from the following:

When the controller I0 is on current flows from the line 21 through the main coil 5, the lead 28, the relay switch 26, to the ground l4, then through the main switch II, to the lead l3 of the circuit 2. If current in the circuit |2 fails, the main coil l5 becomes deenergized and the spring 2| will move the armature l6, to release the releasing trip 20 which knocks "off" the controller Ill, stopping the knitting machine. The operator upon noting that the knitting machine has stopped may manually close the push button switch 64. If none of the lamps 4| light up he knows that current failure caused the controller Hi to knock off.

When one or more of the detector switches 40 close, because of one or more broken yarns, or the ends of yarns passing the detector switches, or

because of knots, the controller will knock "ofi because current will flow from, the line 21 through the'relay coil 29, to and through the closed detector switch 40 to the ground l4, and then through the main switch II to the line B. The operator may close the push button switch 64 to cause one or more of the lamps 4| to light up to indicate which one or more of the detector switches 4|) closed. The circuit may be traced from the line 21, through the pole 62, through the particular lamp or lamps 4|, the particular closed detector switch or switches 40, the ground M, then through the pole 63, the auxiliary ground connection 55, to the lead l3.

It should be particularly noted that in each of the forms of the invention, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the indicator lamp or lamps 4| which indicate a closed detector switch or switches 40 may be lit up by by-passing the current from the coils l5 and 29 and causing the current to flow through the particular lamp or lamps 4| and the particular detector switch or switches 40. This is important because with this arrangement, testing current will not be caused to flow through the coils l5 and 29 and through the relay switch 26. Because current does not flow through said coils, the off controller will not buzz or hum, and moreover, the contacts of the relay switch 26 will not become pitted and burned.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a stop motion of a knitting machine having an electric controller provided with a mainswitch closed when the controller is on and open when the controller is off, an electric supply circuit having one line connected to ground through said main switch, said electric controller also being provided with a main coil for tripping the controller mechanism when de-energized, said electric controller also having a normally closed relay switch, said circuit having its other line connected with said main coil and through said relay switch to ground, said controller also being provided with a relay coil for opening said relay switch and connected with said second mentioned line and in parallel with said main coil, a plurality of normally open detector switches connected in parallel with each other and in series with said relay coil, said relay coil being connected to ground through said detector switches, electric lamps each in series with one or more of said detector switches, switch means for electrically by-passing said main coil and said relay coil in order to connect said second mentioned line directly with said lamps and detector switches, and a normally inoperative auxiliary ground connection connected with said first mentioned line of said circuit and operative when said controller knocks oil.

2. In combination with a stop motion of a knitting machine having an electric controller provided with a main switch closed when the controller is on and open when the controller is all, an electric supply circuit having one line connected to ground through said main switch, said electric controller also being provided with a main coil for tripping the controller mechanism when de-energized, said electric controller also having a normallyclosed relay switch, said circuit: having ;:its-:other:*line connected @with :said maincoil and through said relay switch-to ground, 'saidqcontroller also-being; providedv with a relay coil for;openingraid relay switch and connected with said second mentioned' line and in parallel with saidmain coil, apluralityof normally open detector switches connected in parallel with each other and in series with said relay coil, said relay coil being connected to ground-through said; detector switches, electric lamps each in series withone-orzmore .of.=said detector switches, switch means for, electricallybypassing said main coil andsaid -relaycoil in order to connect said second mentioned. line directly with said lamps and detector switches, and a normally inoperative auxiliary ground connection connected with-said first mentioned line of said circuit-and operative when saidcontroller knocks o-iif, said switch means comprising a double pole,doublethrowswitch anda .by-pass conductor for switching said secondmentioned, line .from said coils to said by-pass conductor, and then directly to saidllamps and detector switches.

.3. Incombination .Withastop motion of a'knitting machine having an electric controller.pro-- vided with a mainswitch .closed when-thecontrollera-is on andopenwhen-the controller is off, anlelectric supply. circuit having one line connectedtoground through said main switch, saidelectriccontroller also being'provided with a main .co-il for-tripping the controller mechanism whende-energized, saidelectric controller also having a normally closed relay switch, said circuit having its other line connected with said main coil and through said relay switch to ground, said controller also being provided with a relay coil for opening said relay switch and connected with said secondmentioned line and in parallel with said main coil, a plurality of normally open detector switches connected in parallel with each other and in series with said relay coil, saidrelay coil being connected to ground through said detector switches, electric lamps each in series with one or more of said detector switches, switch means for electrically by-passing said main coil and said relay coil in order to connect said second mentioned line directly with said lamps and detector switches, and a normally inoperative auxiliary ground connection connected with said first mentioned line of said circuit and operative when said controller knocks off, said switch means comprising a double pole double throw switch and a by-pass conductor for switching said second mentioned line from said coils to said by-pass conductor, and then directly to'said lamps and detector switches, and means for automatically operating said switch means when said controller knocks off and is manually loaded.

4; In combination with a stop motion of a knitting machine having an electric controller provided with a main switch closed when the controller is on and open when the controller is off, an'electric supply circuit having one line connected to ground through said main switch, said electric controller also being provided with a main coil for tripping the controller mechanism when de-energized, said electric controller also having a normally closed relay switch, said circuit having its other line connected with said main coil and through said relay switch to ground, said controller also being provided with a' relay coil for opening said relay switch and connected with said second mentioned line and in parallel with said main coil, a plurality of normally opendetecto-r switches connected in;

&

parallel 'with'each other and in serieswith-sa-id relay coil, said relay coil being connected to groundthroughsaid detector switches, electric lamps each in series with one or more of said detector switches, switch means for electrically by-passingsaid main coil and said relay coil in order to connect said second mentioned'line directly with said lamps and detector switches, and a normally inoperative auxiliary ground com nection'connected with said first mentioned line of said-circuit and operative when said controller knocks oii, said auxiliary-ground connection comprising, a ground connection and a signal lamp connecte'din series in said groundconnecti'on.

5.- In combination with a stop motion of a knitting machine having-(an electric controller provided with a main-switch closed when the-controller is on and'open when the controller is off, an electric supply circuit having one 'line connected to ground through said-main switch, said electric controller also being provided with a main coil for tripping-the controller-mechanism when de-energized, said electric controller also having a normally closed relay switch, said circuit having its other line connected with said main coil and through said relayswitch to ground, said controller also being-provided with a relay-coil for opening said relay switch and connected with said second mentioned line and in parallel with said main coil, a plurality ofnormallyopen detector; switches connectedin parallel with-each other and in series with said relay coil,.said relay coil bemg connected to ground through. said detector switches,.electric lamps each inlseries with one or more-of said detector .switches switch means for electrically by-passingsaid.main.-coil and said relay coil .in order to .connectsaidrsec- 0nd mentioned line directly with said lamps-and detectorswitches, and a normally inoperative auxiliary ground connectionconnected with said first mentioned line ofsaid circuit and operative when said controller knocks ofi', said auxiliary ground connection comprising a ground connection and a signallamp connected in series in saidgroundconnection, and a push button switch shuntingsaid signal lamp.

6. In combination with astop motion of aknitting machine having anlelectric controller provided with .amain switch closed when the controller is on and open when the controller is off, an electric supply circuit having one line connected to ground through said-main switch, saidelectric controller also being provided with a main coil for tripping the controller mechanism when de-energized, said electric controlleralso having a normally, closed relay switch, said circuit having, its other line connected. with said main coil and through said relay switch to ground, said controller also being .providedwith a relaycoil for opening said relay switch and connected with said second mentioned line and in parallel withsaid main coil, a pluralityof nor.- mallyopen detector switches connected in parallel with each other and in series with said relay coil, Said relay coil being connected to ground through said detector switches, electric lamps each in series with one or more of said detector switches, switch means for electrically by-passing said main coil and said relay coil in order to connect said second mentioned line directly with said lamps and detector switches, and a normally inoperative auxiliary ground connection con nectedwith said first mentioned line of said circuit and 'operative ,when. said controller knocks 01f, said switch means comprising a normally open push button switch shunting said coils.

7. In combination with a stop motion of a knitting machine having an electric controller provided with a main switch closed when the controller is on and open when the controller is off, an electric supply circuit having one line connected to ground through said main switch, said electric controller also being provided with a main coil for tripping the controller mechanism when de-energized, said electric controller also having a normally closed relay switch, said clrcuit having its other line connected with said main coil and through said relay switch to ground, said controller also being provided with a relay coil for opening said relay switch and connected with said second mentioned line and in parallel with said main coil, a plurality of normally open detector switches connected in parallel with each other and in series with said relay 5 coil, said relay coil being connected to ground through said detector switches, electric lamps each in series with one or more of said detector 1O switches, switch means for electrically by-passing said main coil and said relay coil in order to connect said second mentioned line directly with said lamps and detector switches, and a normally inoperative auxiliary ground connection connected with said first mentioned line of said circuit and operative when said controller knocks off, said switch means comprising a normally open push button switch shunting said coils, said auxiliary ground connection including a normally open push button switch connected for gang operation with said last named switch.

EDWARD VOSSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,383,838 Auble Aug. 28, 1945 2,432,953 Vossen Dec. 16, 1947 2,488,614 Antonevich Nov. 22, 1949 

